This exquisite statue of Saint John the Baptist is made of wood paste with glass eyes. Meticulously hand made in Spain using the same process from when the company started in 1880. It is hand-painted with oil colours so no two statues will look exactly the same. Notice the incredible attention to detail on every part of the statue. A true work of art!

St. John the Baptist

Also known as
Joannes Baptista
John the Baptizer
John the Forerunner
Juan Bautista

Memorial
24 June (birth)
29 August (death)

Profile
Cousin of Jesus Christ. Son of Zachary, a priest of the order of Abia whose job in the temple was to burn incense; and of Elizabeth, a descendent of Aaron. As Zachary was ministering in the Temple, an angel brought him news that Elizabeth would bear a child filled with the Holy Spirit from the moment of his birth. Zachary doubted and was struck dumb until John's birth.

Prophet. Began his ministry around age 27, wearing a leather belt and a tunic of camel hair, living off locusts and wild honey, and preaching a message of repentance to the people of Jerusalem. He converted many, and prepared the way for the coming of Jesus. Baptized Christ, after which he stepped away and told his disciples to follow Jesus.

Imprisoned by King Herod. He died a victim of the vengeance of a jealous woman; he was beheaded, and his head brought to her on a platter. Saint Jerome says Herodias kept the head for a long time after, occassionally stabbing the tongue with his dagger.

Died
beheaded c.30 at Machaerus; buried at Sebaste, Samaria; relics in Saint Sylvester's church, Rome, Italy, and at Amiens, France